Cuts, fee increases part of budget

Sunrise plan would close post office

Sunrise — The city-run post office will close and fire-rescue, water and sewer fees will increase under the city's proposed budget for the fiscal year starting Oct. 1.

Some city officials say fee hikes and service cuts will help blunt a $5.5 million hit to the city's proposed $384.1 million budget following state-required tax cuts. More financial strain is expected if voters approve an expanded homestead exemption in January.

Among other cost-saving measures included in the 2007-08 budget is the elimination of 32 vacant positions, ranging from four part-time bus drivers to two seasonally employed lifeguards. The city plans to trim: grants for nonprofit organizations, the hours for food service at the Springtree Golf Club and the seasons at the Welleby pools and the Village Beach Club. Further, the city's annual employee holiday party will be replaced with a less expensive picnic and city-sponsored events ranging from senior socials to the Fourth of July concert will be eliminated.

"They have been raising fees with no rationale for years," Wishner said of the City Commission. "Right now, people out there are suffering with taxes. We need to help them."

The owner of a homesteaded $275,000 assessed value home will save $174 on the city portion of the tax bill. The largest fee hikes call for a 10.5 percent increase in utility rates, which were last raised in 1998.

Also, fire rescue fees would climb $10 for the owners of single-family homes. The fire fee was last raised in 2006. Next year's increase in fire fees would generate more than $400,000 to hire six firefighter-paramedics. They would bring from two to three the number of firefighter-paramedics available to respond to calls for help in some areas. It would also free up firetrucks by allowing firefighters to respond to some emergency calls with just an ambulance.

The commission has asked Fire Chief Bruce Moeller to provide details on the volume and type of emergency calls his department receives, before it gives final approval to the fee increase.

Charles Baxley, 74, who has lived in Sunrise for 20 years, said the proposed fee increases would cancel out property tax cuts, at least in part.

"It puts you right back to square one," Baxley said.

Jennifer Gollan can be reached at jgollan@sun-sentinel.com or 954-572-2009.

INFORMATIONAL BOX:

Sunrise's Proposed Budget

Total budget proposed this year: $384.1 million

Budget last year: $380.5 million

Percent change: 0.9 percent increase

Property tax cut: $1,745,263

Percent change in tax collections: 4.7 percent decrease

Total tax rate proposed this year: 5.24

Tax rate last year: 6.11

Impact on homesteaded house valued at $275,000 last year: $1,353.23 tax bill, a $174.27 reduction in the city portion of taxes.

Impact on non-homesteaded house valued at $275,000 last year: $1,593.75 tax bill, an $86.50 reduction in the city portion of taxes.

What is being cut: 32 vacant positions; city-run post office to close; Fourth of July concert, among other city events. The season for the Village Beach Club and Welleby pools will be shortened. Hours will be reduced at Springtree Golf Club food service. City employees' annual holiday party will be replaced with a picnic.

What else changes: Fire assessment fee will increase $10 for single-family homes, bringing it to $107.50. Water and sewer fees will increase 10.5 percent to fund infrastructure improvements.